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BSL: Ravens on roster bubble following free agency and 2021 NFL Draft


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#1 BSLJasonBHirschhorn

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Posted 28 May 2021 - 12:53 PM

Ravens on roster bubble following free agency and 2021 NFL Draft:

 

https://baltimorespo...ft-free-agency/


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Jason B. Hirschhorn is the co-founder of The Leap and an award-winning sportswriter with bylines at NFL.com, SB Nation, Sports Illustrated, and other major outlets. He is also a Pro Football Writers of America member. Follow him on Twitter: @by_JBH


#2 JordanKough

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Posted 28 May 2021 - 02:36 PM

I think Mekari's ability to play tackle is going to keep him around. Sounds like he was taking reps with Philips at LT in camp, so in that sense, he might be safer than the other G candidates who probably can't swing out. So the versatility might win out. 


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#3 TwentyThirtyFive

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Posted 28 May 2021 - 04:16 PM

Mekari is pretty safe. Can play anywhere across the line if necessary and do it adequately. Smith on the other hand is pretty near a lock to be cut.
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#4 Biggsy

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Posted 29 May 2021 - 09:13 PM

Mekari is pretty safe. Can play anywhere across the line if necessary and do it adequately. Smith on the other hand is pretty near a lock to be cut.



With Mekari being able to play any line spot, and Phillips on the roster with Villanueva, I can't imagine Smith makes it, barring injuries of course.

#5 Mike B

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Posted 30 May 2021 - 06:46 AM

Smith opted out last year which was understandable but it was also a chance for him to make headway as a Raven.


@mikeghg

#6 Huddle It Up Films

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Posted 30 May 2021 - 07:24 AM

Smith opted out last year which was understandable but it was also a chance for him to make headway as a Raven.

 

It may be understandable to many but I don't think it is to the Ravens (jmo). We passed on drafting many players who opted out and went with guys who played through the pandemic. I believe we want guys who are 100% married to football no matter what else is going on.

 

The Ravens are big on players' motivators. EDC has mentioned this many times. Why is football important to them, what makes them tick? Look at a guy like Wade who literally lost millions of dollars playing through turf toe, changing positions & dealing with the deaths of three family members last year. Football is what he does, it's his sanctuary. He wants to train & play. It's more than a job to him.

 

Hurst wasn't 100% bought-in, he's gone. Same with Orlando. We won't overpay for players in free agency, they have to want to be here. EDC also said he learned from the Earl Thomas signing, although he didn't mention him by name.

 

Agree or disagree with the philosophy but I truly believe it's real. I think it's a great organizational philosophy even though I may have made exceptions in 2020. There was a lot of confusion and panic.

 

Smith is a goner. He wasn't a lock to make the roster last year, like almost all the NFL players who opted out aside from Patriots. The opt out list was full of fringe players. It's not hard to read between the lines. "I may not make the roster. So I'll sit out 'because of Covid', take the money and try again next year"


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#7 Mike B

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Posted 31 May 2021 - 08:03 AM

It may be understandable to many but I don't think it is to the Ravens (jmo). We passed on drafting many players who opted out and went with guys who played through the pandemic. I believe we want guys who are 100% married to football no matter what else is going on.

 

The Ravens are big on players' motivators. EDC has mentioned this many times. Why is football important to them, what makes them tick? Look at a guy like Wade who literally lost millions of dollars playing through turf toe, changing positions & dealing with the deaths of three family members last year. Football is what he does, it's his sanctuary. He wants to train & play. It's more than a job to him.

 

Hurst wasn't 100% bought-in, he's gone. Same with Orlando. We won't overpay for players in free agency, they have to want to be here. EDC also said he learned from the Earl Thomas signing, although he didn't mention him by name.

 

Agree or disagree with the philosophy but I truly believe it's real. I think it's a great organizational philosophy even though I may have made exceptions in 2020. There was a lot of confusion and panic.

 

Smith is a goner. He wasn't a lock to make the roster last year, like almost all the NFL players who opted out aside from Patriots. The opt out list was full of fringe players. It's not hard to read between the lines. "I may not make the roster. So I'll sit out 'because of Covid', take the money and try again next year"

I think you are right.  I think we have seen other examples too.  I was and am a big Flacco fan, but I think football may have become less of a priority in his life as his family grew.  I think they want what Al Davis used to call a “commitment to excellence”, and we should be happy that they do.


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